Oct. 26, 2001

By Mark Mannion
MU Media Relations Office

Clayton McAboy plays football in total silence. McAboy, a 6-foot-1, 260-pound defensive lineman, is hearing impaired, the result of a bout with spinal meningitis as an infant. However, the disability has never restricted this gifted athlete. McAboy, a native of Jefferson City, Mo., was heavily recruited by Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, and Kansas.

"I chose Missouri because it's close to Jeff City and I wanted my family and friends to be able to come to the games. My dad was in bad health and I felt that just in case something happened to him, I wanted to be able to go see him," McAboy said.

Sadly, Carl McAboy passed away after a long illness in September, 2000. McAboy remains positive, quick to express a deep love for his family, which he uses as motivation each day.

"They are very supportive. I call my mom everyday to make sure she is OK and everything," he said. "In my life, I have been through a lot. I took a semester off when my dad passed, but I came back. I'm trying to stay focused on academics, trying to stay on the team to help the guys go to a bowl. I am trying to finish my degree and get my education."

While at Jefferson City High, McAboy excelled athletically. A three-sport letterwinner, McAboy was on the wrestling and track and field teams in addition to playing football. However, the gridiron was where McAboy truly shined.

"My first time playing football was in high school. I had been playing baseball, soccer, and other sports. I never realized that I could play football with a hearing impairment," said McAboy. "I love football. It is not a difficult thing for me. I put my eyes on the ball, and, if the ball moves, I move. I have the quickness for that."

He was a member of the 1994 class 5A championship team, and the 1996 runner-up as a senior. McAboy anchored a stingy Jay defense to an 11-2 mark in 1996, leading the team in tackles (64), sacks (7), and tackles for loss, while forcing three fumbles, and recovering two.

The awards and recruiting letters came rapidly and in abundance for McAboy, whose pursuit skills and ability to make the big play drew headlines. His teammates recognized him as the Jays' defensive player of the year, as McAboy earned first-team all-district honors. McAboy's hard work paid off in the classroom as well. His professors rewarded him with the school's "most improved grades" award.

"I got a lot of support from teachers there. They helped me change my life around," McAboy said.

Growing up, McAboy had his mind set on playing linebacker, but he found his niche at defensive tackle.

"When I was a little kid, I wanted to play linebacker," said McAboy. "My favorite was 'LT,' Lawrence Taylor from the New York Giants. I always wanted to play linebacker but I never got the chance. I found out linebacker has a lot of responsibilities, and a lot of communication going on. I couldn't do that. I'll do my best if that's what it takes, but defensive lineman is probably the best position for me. I can keep my eyes on the ball and play my best."

McAboy has been on the scout team at Missouri for the past five years, a role he readily accepts yet finds frustrating at times.

"This is my fifth year, my last year. I only played one game, the Western Illinois game. I had like 29 plays," he said. "I've been on the scout team. I'm proud of it. I wish I could play. I want to help my teammates out. It really hurts me when I feel like I could do this or that to try to help the team win, but I am on the sidelines. I am proud of myself. I never thought I'd be able to do this, especially because of my hearing impairment. At first I thought it'd be hard, but I am about to graduate in May."

McAboy would like to have another chance to help his team this season, in similar fashion to 'Rudy' Ruettiger of Notre Dame fame.

"The moment I'd like to have is to get a chance to play a game this season, get a sack, make a lot of tackles," he said. "Just to do one thing, one big great play that's going to help the team win. That would be a great moment for me."

Football fills a special role for McAboy, who plans to continue playing after he graduates.

"I'll probably go to the next level somewhere, Arena football, maybe something with Special Olympics. I am going to try to continue playing football somewhere," said McAboy. "It doesn't have to be the NFL, but football to me is life. I love football. I can't stop playing." McAboy intends to work with special needs children after graduation.

"I plan to work with some kids, trying to help special kids with hearing impairments, disabilities," said McAboy, who hopes to be a role model for them, to show them they can succeed if they work hard.

While McAboy readily admits his love for football, he says the best part about coming to MU was "getting my scholarship here, and now I'm about to graduate. I'm the oldest in my family. I'll be the first one in the whole McAboy family to graduate. That's really important. It's a big thing. It would be one of the things to honor my father, to graduate and have a good life."